The reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe

SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE

Austrian Army, notwithstanding its apparent success, was beginning to show signs of disintegration and the utmost exhaustion. In every contest, whenever they met in equal numbers, the Austro-Hungarians were beaten, and surrendered very willingly. In climbing the Rudnik Hills the enemy lost all his energy and vigour. The Serbian headquarters believed that the right moment for a decisive blow was at hand, but they recognised the great difficulty of doing anything with their small army, which was dispersed in a thin line over a very long front. After deep consideration they resolved to abandon the watershed of the Suvobor (Rayac, Prostruga and Golubac), and to concentrate the army further south, on the hills surrounding the village of Takovo, which formed the watershed between the Diéina and the Cemernica, a tributary of the Morava.

Some people were alarmed at the decision, as the retreat was risky. It opened up the valley of the Morava, and formed a direct menace to Kraguevac. However, guided only by a sound principle of strategy, headquarters cast aside all other considerations, and advanced straight to victory.

At the same time headquarters carried out one still more important decision. In order to shorten the northern front, and to reinforce the first army which had to deliver the most decisive blow, headquarters ordered the evacuation of Belgrade. This last decision was taken with heavy heart, because the gallant defence of Bel-

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